She hid the flinch when his squeeze hurt her arm. But maybe she didn’t hide it well enough because his eyes narrowed.

Molly got ahold of herself and said brightly, “I’ve made plenty of food. Let me add plates to the table.”

With the first genuine smile she’d managed while Mr. Hawkins was in the room, she hurried around, setting places for them. Mr. Hawkins was at the head of the table as always, and Molly sat at the foot, closest to the stove should she need to fetch anything.

Win got busy pouring coffee and talking lightly with her father.

Knowing how Win felt about her pa, for them to come for a visit gave Molly a sweet rush of love for her sister-in-law. She had to stop mourning the loss of a brother and start celebrating that she’d gained a sister.

The food was dished up. Mr. Hawkins was doing his usual wide smiles and charm. Something Molly knew was only skin deep—and his skin was extremely thin.

The meal was eaten, the pie served. Win and Kevin remarked on the wonderful food. Mr. Hawkins now talked favorably about her cooking, too, instead of acting like he was entitled to hard work and fine cooking from his servant.

They talked about general things while they ate, but after the pie was finished, Win said, “I’d like to stay awhile, Pa.”

She took a sip of her coffee. “I’ve realized since I married Kevin and we’ve talked about our families that I don’t know that much about Ma or you or how you grew up.”

“Well, you can hardly fault me for not telling you stories, Winona.” His voice had a sarcastic edge. “You left before you were old enough to remember much, and since you’ve come home, you’re never here.”

“You’re right, but I’d like to change all that.” Color bloomed high in Win’s cheeks, but she clung to a smile and a pleasant tone. “Now, as an adult woman, a married woman, I’d like to learn more about your childhood and Ma’s. I’d like to better understand where I came from. I have faint memories of Ma’s mother, and I knew of Grandpa, but I can barely remember their names. I know we came from Chicago to here, but what did Grandpa do in Chicago? What work did you do back there? And I’m sure I’ve never heard a thing about your family. I would like to know more. What were Grandma and Grandpa Hawkins’s names? What did Grandpa Hawkins work at? Do you have any pictures?”

Molly watched Mr. Hawkins during Win’s friendly chatter. She saw a glint in his eyes that reminded Molly of how he’d looked at her upstairs, while he’d held her arm tight enough to bruise it. She remembered Rachel saying he could be frightening.